Seaming method and apparatus for goreless panty-hoses

ABSTRACT

A pair of stocking materials are sewn and combined into a goreless panty-hose on a circulating or reciprocating template unit which has a pair of template assemblies for upholding and spreading the stocking materials mounted thereon and is accompanied with a cutter assembly for partly slicing the stocking materials upheld by the template assemblies, a sewing machine for seaming together the stocking materials in spread disposition and a mechanism for automatically removing the finished goreless panty-hose from the template unit.

United States Patent [1 1 Horita SEAMING METHOD AND APPARATUS FORGORELESS PANTY-HOSES [75] Inventor: Teruyuki llorita, Osaka, Japan [73]Assignee: Takatori Machinery Works Ltd.,

Nara-ken, Japan 221 Filed: I Nov. 12,1971 21 App1.N0.: 198,374

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 19,1970 Japan 45/102365 [52]US. Cl... 112/l21.l5, 112/262 [51] Int. Cl D05b 21/00 Field of Search1l2/2,12l.1l, 121.12, 112/121.15, 121.19, 203, 262; 2/224 R, 239,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Krueger 2/224 R [11]3,777,681 [5 Dec. 11, 1973 3,675,247 7/1972 Ferrell 2/224 R 3,669,0476/1972 Hedegaard.... 112/l2l.l5 2,702,014 2/1955 Brownslein 112ll21.l51,575,887 3/1926 Zimmerman 1l2/12l.l5

Primary Examiner-Werner l-l. Schroeder Attorney-Woodhams et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A pair of stocking materials are sewn and combined into agoreless panty-hose on a circulating or reciprocating template unitwhich has a pair of template as semblies for upholding and spreading thestocking materials mounted thereon and is accompanied with a cutterassembly for partly slicing the stocking materials upheld by thetemplate assemblies, a sewing machine for seaming together the stockingmaterials in spread disposition and a mechanism for automaticallyremoving the finished goreless panty-hose from the template unit.

17 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUEC n 1915 3777.681

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ATTORN EYS SEAMING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GORELESS PANTY-HOSES' Thepresent invention relates to improved seaming method and apparatus forgoreless panty-hose.

In the conventional manufacturing process of pantyhoses, attachment ofthe core to the stocking materials is a complicated, troublesome butindispensable work so that the finished panty-hoses fit to a variety ofbody figures of the users.

If such complicated and troublesome work can be omitted from themanufacturing process of the pantyhose, a considerable reduction in themanufacturing cost will surely result.

From this point of view, the inventor of the present invention hasreached a concept that the panty-hose can well fit to a variety of humanbody figures even without the presence of the gore if the inherentstretchability of the material knitted fabric is effectively utilized.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide improvedseaming method .and apparatus for goreless panty-hoses, therebyconsiderably lowering the manufacturing cost of the panty-hoses.

In the seaming system of the present invention, the stocking materialsare firstly mounted on template assemblies which is carried by atemplate unit circulating along an endless guide rail or reciprocatingalong a curved guide rail. Following the movement of the unit along theguide rail, the stocking materials nipped by the template assemblies arepartly sliced by a cutter device, the template assemblies spread thestocking materials so as to straighten and expose the sliced fringeoutside the stocking materials, the sliced fringe is seamed by a sewingmachine into a finished goreless pantyhose, the product is then releasedfrom the nip by the template assemblies and the panty-hose isautomatically removed from the template unit.

On the basis of the above-described construction of the presentinvention, various modifications may be made as described later indetail.

Further features of the invention may be explained. in more detail inthe ensuing description, reference being made to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein;

FIGS. 1A to 1C are simplified perspective views for explaining theprincipal seaming mechanism of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a partly sectional side view of an embodiment of the seamingapparatus of the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4A is a partly sectional side view ofthe template unit and itsrelated parts of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4B is a partly sectional perspective view of the template unit andits related parts,

FIG. 5 is a simplified plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 forshowing each step of the cyclic seaming operation of the presentinvention,

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view for showing the mounting of the stockingmaterials to the templates,

FIGS. 7A and 7B are plan and partly sectional side views of themechanism for causing an angular turning of the template assemblies forthe mounting of the stocking materials,

FIGS. 8A and 8B are plan and side views of the cutter device used in theapparatus shown in FIG. 2,

FIGS. 9A and 9B are side and plan views of the mechanism forautomatically removing the finished panty-hose from the template unit,FIGS. 10A and 10B are partly sectional side views of the templateassemy.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the seamingapparatus of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, a basic seaming mechanism of the hip partof a panty-hose without any gore is shown in a simplified illustration.A pair of stocking materials 1 and 2 are held together by nipping themtogether along lines 3 and 4. Under this nipped condition, slicing isapplied to them along a line 5 which runs between the two lines 3 and 4.(see FIG. 1A). After this slicing, the open ends of the stockingmaterials 1 and 2 are spread laterally in the direction perpendicular tothe nip so as to open the sliced part (see FIG. 1B). In the finishedpanty-hose, the sliced part must be seamed as shown with lines 3a and 4ain FIG. 1C.

In this connection, however, the sliced part usually assumes a V-shapecut in the condition shown in FIG. 1B and such V-shape cut is inpractice not suitable for an application of a quick and simple seamingaction. In order to quicken and simplify the seaming action, it isdesirable to change this seaming line into a straight form and toposition this seaming line outside the interior of the stockingmaterials. As mentioned already, according to the basic concept of thepresent invention, the spreading of the open ends of the stockingmaterials 1 and 2 is carried out to an utmost extent in the process ofFIG. 1B so as to straighten and expose the seaming line outside theinterior of the stocking materials. Under such straightened and exposeddisposition of the seaming line, seaming of the stocking materials canbe very quickly performed by a simple application of machine sewing.

A basic embodiment of the seaming apparatus of the present invention isshown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with omission of dispensable relative machineparts.

In the shown arrangement, a stationary guide rail 6 is given in anendless circular form. A circularly elongated carrier 7 is mounted onthe guide rail 6-in a slidable arrangement along the guide rail 6.Inside periphery 8 of the carrier 7 is provided with a continuouslyelongated rack, which meshes with a drive gear 9. The drive gear 9 isconnected to a drive motor 10 for rotation via stepped pulleys 11a and11b and a belt 12. R0- tation of the drive gear 9 causes a travel of thecarrier 7 along the guide rail 6. The motor 10 may be provided withsuitable control means (not shown), which con-v trols the mode ofrotation of the drive motor 10. For example, the drive motor 10 may begenerated for rotation in an intermittent fashion. In one example, amicro-switch is located at a suitably selected position of the guiderail 6, which microswitch is connected to an electric circuitaccompanying the drive motor 10. Furthe'r, the micro-switch isaccompanied with a suitable timer. Separately from this, the carrier 7is provided with an operator-pin mounted on a suitably selected positionthereof. As the carrier 7 travels along the guide rail 6, theoperator-pin of the carrier 7 operates on the micro-switch on the guiderail 6 so as to stop the driving motor 10. The driving motor 10 is keptinoperative over the period settled by the timer. After a prescribedlength of period, the timer again functions so as restart the drivingmotor 10 and the carrier 7 restarts its travelling along the guide rail6.

In another example, the guide rail 6 may be provided with a micro-switchand the carrier 7 may be provided with a pair of operator-pins suitablyspaced from each other. By the contact of the first operator pin withthe micro-switch, the running of the driving motor 10 is ceased whereas,by the next contact of the second operator pin with the micro-switch,the running of the drive motor 10 is restarted.

In further example, the guide rail 6 may be provided with a pair ofmicro-switches suitably spaced from each other whereas the carrier 7 maybe provided with an operator-pin also. By the contact of theoperator-pin with the first micro-switch, the running of the drivingmotor 10 is ceased whereas, by the next contact of the operator-pin withthe second micro-switch, the running of the drive motor 10 is restarted.In this case, the carrier 7 moves intermittently along the guide rail 6.The travelling speed of the carrier 7 can be controlled as desired bythe installation of such control unit connected to the drive motor 10.

As is seen in FIG. 3, the carrier 7 is provided with several templateunits mounted thereon at prescribed distances. In the case of theillustrated embodiment, six template units are mounted on the carrier 7at equal distance from each other. It will be understood that the numberof the template units on the carrier 7 can be selected as desired inaccordance with the requirement in the actual process. Further, in thearrangement shown in FIG. 3, the carrier 7 is supposed to travel in adirection shown with an arrow 0, i.e. in the clockwise direction in theillustration.

Detail structure of the template unit will hereinafter be explained inreference to FIGS. 4A and 48, wherein an upright main shaft 13 isrotatably mounted on the carrier 7 via a cylindrical base 14 andbearings. The cylindrical base 14 is fixed to the carrier 7. At aposition just above the upper end of the base 14, a lower gear 15 isfixedly mounted on the main shaft 13 and, at a position still above thelower gear 15, an upper gear 16 is rotatably mounted on the main shaft13 via a bearing. In one body with this upper gear 16, a collar 171 isrotatably mounted on the main shaft 13 via bearings also, which collar171 bears a lower arm 17 radially extending therefrom. Above the collar171, another collar 181 is fixedly mounted on the main shaft 13, whichcollar 181 bears an upper arm 18 radially extending therefrom. Due tothis structure, the lower arm 17 is free of rotation of the main shaft13 whereas the upper arm 18 turns about the axis of the main shaft 13upon rotation of the latter.

The lower arm 17 is provided with a template assembly 172 disposed tothe outer end thereof. The template assembly 172 comprises a cylinder19a fixed to the lower arm 17, an elongated lower nipping template 20bhorizontally extending from the cylinder 19a, a horizontally elongatedupper nipping template 200 which is upwardly movable with respect to thelower template 20b, a spring contained inside of the cylinder 19:: so asto urge the upper template 20a remote from the lower template 20b and anelectric actuator contained inside of the cylinder 19a which urges theupper template 20a into contact with the lower template 20b overcomingthe spring force by the spring.

The upper arm 18 is accompanied with a template assembly 182 disposed tothe outer end thereof, whose structure is the same with that of thetemplate assembly 172.

The electric actuators of the both template assemblies operate insynchronism. Further detail structure of the template assemblies 172 and182 will be explained later.

Being spaced from and in parallel to the main shaft 13, a pair ofupright auxiliary shafts 22a and 22b are fixed on the carrier 7. Theauxiliary shaft 22a is provided with a lower gear 23a and an upper gear23b, both being rotatably inserted over the shaft 22a. The lower gear23a meshes with the lower gear 15 of the main shaft 13 whereas the uppergear 23b meshes with the upper gear 16 of the main shaft 13. The otherauxiliary shaft 22b is provided with a lower gear 24a and an upper gear24b, both being rotatably inserted over the shaft 22b. The lower gear24a meshes with the lower gear 15 of the main shaft 13 whereas the uppergear 24b meshes with the upper gear 16 of the main shaft 13.

As is seen in FIG. 48, internal surfaces of the upright walls of theguide rail 6 is locationally provided with horizontally running racks26a and 26b. Location and length of the racks 26a and 26b are suitablyselected in accordance with the mode of operation to be performed by theapparatus of the present invention. Vertical levels of the racks 26a and26b are so designed that they mesh the gears 23a, 23b, 24a and 24b ofthe auxiliary shafts 22a and 22b as the carrier 7 travels along theguide rail 6.

One example of this meshing mode is illustrated in FIG. 4A. Followingthe advancement of the template unit in the direction of the arrow "0 inFIG. 4B, the lower gear 24a of the auxiliary shaft 22b (right side shaftin FIG. 4A) comes into meshing with the right side rack 26a and rotatesin the direction D in FIG. 4A. Upon this rotation of the lower gear 24a,the main shaft 13 rotates in the direction D due to the meshingengagement between the lower gears 15 and 24a. This rotation of the mainshaft 13 naturally causes same directional turning of the upper arm 18and its associated template assembly 182. In synchronism with thisoperation, the upper gear 23b of the auxiliary shaft 220 (left sideshaft in FIG. 4A) comes into meshing with the left side rack 26b androtates in the direction D Q. Upon this rotation of the upper gear 23b,the collar 171 rotates in the direction D due to the meshing engagementbetween the upper gears 16 and 23b. This rotation of the collar 171naturally causes same directional turning of the lower arm 17 and itsassociated template assembly 172.

After completion of the'above-explained synchronous turning of the bothtemplate assemblies 172 and 182, seaming of the stocking materials iscarried out as later described in detail. When the seaming operation isfinished, further advancement of the template unit enmeshes the uppergear 24b of the right side auxiliary shaft 22b with the right side rack26b and the lower gear 23a of the left side auxiliary shaft 22a with theleft side rack 26a. This re-meshing of the gears makes the templateassemblies 172 and 182 turn back to their initial positions.

Outline of the seaming operation of the present invention will now beexplained in reference to the illustration in FIG. 5. Roughly speaking,the cyclic seaming operation of the present invention includes mountingof the stocking materials to the template unit, slicing of the mountedstocking materials, spreading of the sliced part of the stockingmaterials, seaming of the spread stocking materials, revival of theinitial mounting disposition of the finished parity-hose and removal ofthe finished panty-hose from the template unit. These operations arecarried out in succession while the template unit performs one completecirculation along the circular guide rail.

In FIG. 5, the stocking materials are manually mounted to'the templateunit at the station A". When the template unit arrives at the stationslicing of the stocking materials is carried out automatically. Passingthrough the station C, the template assemblies perform the turning andthe stocking materials caught thereby are spread so as to place theseaming line substantially straight and to expose it outside theinterior of the stocking materials. In this connection, however, theseaming line is actually placed in a slightly curved condition, whosecurvature roughly meets the circular travelling course of the axialcenter of the main shaft along the guide rail. Along this slightlycurved seaming line, seaming is carried out by a suitable sewing machinewhile the template unit passes through the station D". On the coursefrom the station E to the station F, the template assemblies again turnfor closing and, upon arrival at the station F, the finished panty-hoseis automatically removed from the template unit.

The above-mentioned seaming process will now be again explained indetail particularly with reference to the illustration in FIG. 3. 7

On the station A, mounting of the stocking materials is carried outmanually in such a manner, for example as shown in FIG. 6, that thestocking material 1 is inserted over the upper templates a and a whereasthe other stocking material 2 is inserted over the lower templates 20band 2512. In this situation, the upper and lower templates of the bothtemplate assemblies are kept free from mutual contact due to the urgingtendency by the springs contained inside of the cylinders 19a and 1%. Asthe template unit travels towards the station 8", the electric actuatorsof the both template assemblies 172 and 182 are energized. Thisenergization is caused by a fact that a suitable framework part of thetemplate unit comes in contact with a microswitch which is mounted tothe guide rail 6 and is electrically connected to the electric actuatorsof the template assemblies. This energization can be caused by a factalso that an electroconductive brush mounted to the unit in connectionwith the electric actuators contacts an electric rail which extendsalong the guide rail 6 over a prescribed region. Upon energization ofthe electric actuators, the upper and lower templates 20a and 20b (and25a and 25b) are put into a mutual pressure contact so as to nip thestocking materials 1 and 2 in a side by side contact as shown in FIG.1A.

Upon arrival at the station B, a cutter device 27' advances its cutterblade 28 into a space between the template assemblies 172 and 182 so asto slice the stocking materials 1 and 2 along the dotted line shown inFIG. 5. The cutter device 27 is provided with a pneumatic cylinder whosepiston operation governs the reciprocal sliding of the cutter blade 28.The structure and function of the cutter device 27 will be laterexplained in detail. v

On the course from the station B" to the station C", the gears 24a and23b of the template unit comes in meshing with the racks 26a and 26b ofthe guide rail 6 as already explained and both template assemblies I 172and 182 open so as to spread the open ends of the stocking materials 1and 2. On the station both template assemblies 172 and 182 are fullyopened and the seaming line is completely exposed outside the interiorof the stocking materials I and 2 extending sub stantially along thetravelling course of the axial center of the main shaft 13.

Seaming is carried out at the station D" by a sewing machine 29a locatedthereon along the exposed seaming line. For a smooth and stable seamingoperation, a pneumatic suction nozzle 29b is located just upstream ofthe sewing machine 29a so as to tense the sliced portion during theseaming operation. This suction nozzle 29!) is connected to a suitablepneumatic suction source (not shown) and its mouth positions close tothe sliced fringe of the stocking materials.

For actuation of the sewing operation and the pneumatic suction, asuitable limit switch (not shown) is provided on the guide rail 6 at alocation upstream of the suction nozzle 29b and the limit switch isoperated by a suitable contact maker (not shown) disposed to thetemplate unit.

On a course from the station D to the station the gears 24b and 23a ofthe template unit comes in meshing with the racks 26a and 26b and thetemplate assemblies perform an angular turning so as to assume theirinitial angular position as the station A.

Upon arrival at the station F, the electric actuators of the bothtemplate assemblies 172 and 182 are deactivated. Then due to the urgingforce by the springs contained in the cylinders 19a and 19b, thetemplates 20a and 20b (and 25a and 25b) are released from the pressurecontact. Following this cancellation of the pressure nip, the finishedpanty-hose is automatically removed from the template unit as will beexplained later in detail.

Although the guide rail 6 in the above-described embodiment is given inthe circular form, it is also employable to give this guide rail in theother endless form such as oblong in accordance with requirement in theactual process. In such case, a suitable modification need to beemployed regarding the structures of the related parts such as thecarrier 7. For example, the carrier 7 may be composed of severalseparate segments flexibly linked to each other and the respectivetemplate units may be mounted on therespective carrier segments.

In FIG. 3 of the above-described embodiment, it may be seen that thetemplate units change their angular directions during their travel fromthe station F to the station A. A mechanism for resulting in thisangular change of the template units will now be explained in detail inreference to FIGS. 3, 7A and 7B. Particularly in the case of theillustrated embodiment, the template unit performs an angular turning of45 degree. As is shown in FIG. 7B clearly, a lateral arm 42 turnablyextends from the cylindrical base 14 of the carrier 7 and a cam followerroll 30 is rotatably supported at the outer end of the arm 42. Further,an upright pole 32 is mounted on the lateral arm 42 and a guide member33 is disposed to the top of the pole 32. The guide member 33 is soarranged as to be always in contact with the arms 17 and 18 of thetemplate assemblies 172 and 182. In order to urge the lateral arm 42 inthe counterclockwise direction in FIG. 7A, the lateral arm 42 isaccompanied by a tension spring 34a. The lateral arm 42 is furtheraccompanied by a stopper 34b. Separately from this, an elongated cam 31is disposed onto the guide rail 6, which cam 31 extends from a locationproperly upstream of the station A" to the station A.

As the template unit approaches from the station F to the station A, thecam follower roll 30 comes in contact with the cam 31 and, due to thiscontact, the lateral arm 42 carrying the roll 30 turns clockwisely aboutthe axis of the main shaft 13. The projection of the cam 31 into thetravelling course of the carrier 7 is so selected that the turning angleof the lateral arm 42 amounts to 45. Upon this turning of the lateralarm 42, the arms 17 and 18 of the template assemblies 172 and 182 turn45 about the axis of the main shaft 13, being pushed by the guide member33, so as to assume a direction suited for the initial manual mountingof the stocking materials to the template assemblies. After completionof the stocking materials mounting, the roll 30 is released from contactwith the cam 31 and the lateral arm 42 is turned reversely, i.e.counterclockwisely in FIG. 7A, by the spring force of the tension spring34a until the turning in hindered by the stopper 34b.

As explained already in reference to FIG. 3, slicing of the stockingmaterials mounted on the template unit is carried out by the cutterdevice 27 when the template unit passes through the station Anembodiment of the cutter device 27 for effecting this slicing operationis illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B. When we consider this slicingoperation, we must note the fact that, because the slicing should becompleted without an interception of the travelling movement of thetemplate unit, the cutter device 27 must turn in synchronism with thetravelling of the template unit, i.e. the circulating speed of thecarrier 7. In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the cutter device27 need to turn about the center of the circular guide rail 6 over aprescribed distance for a prescribed period.

For this purpose, the cutter device 27 is arranged in a turnablestructure and each template unit is provided with an actuator cam 38fixedly mounted thereto. In accordance with this, a limit switch 37 isfixed to the guide rail 6 at a location slightly upstream of the station3", whereon slicing operation is .to be commenced. This limit switch 37is electrically connected to a solenoid 39 of the cutter device'27. Atiltable lever 40 is pivoted at a midway thereof onto a framework of thecutter device 27, lower end of the lever 40 being mechanically linked tothe solenoid 39. A stopper 41 is mounted on the template unit assumingsuch position as being able to contact the upper end of the lever 40when the latter is placed in the operative disposition. The upper end ofthe lever 40 is connected to the framework of the cutter device 27 by atension spring 43a. Further, the body of the cutter device 27 isconnected to a fixed point of the apparatus by a tension spring 4317. Apneumatic damper 44 accompanied by an air inlet adjuster valve 45 isalso provided in relation to the cutter device 27.

As the template unit approaches the station 3", the actuator cam 38 ofthe template unit contacts the limit switch 37 so as to excite thesolenoid 39 of the cutter device 27. Being excited in this way, thelever 40 tilts towards the template unit overcoming the spring force bythe spring 43a as shown with a solid line in FIG. 8B and the upper endthereof comes in contact with the stopper 41 ofthe template unit. Then,being pushed by the travelling template unit via the above-explainedcontact, the cutter device 27 turns in the direction X in FIG. 8A, i.e.the travelling direction of the template unit. During this turning, thecutter blade 28 advances into the space between the two templateassemblies so as to carry out the slicing operation.

For the sliding motion of the cutter blade 28, the cutter device 27 isaccompanied with a pneumatic cylinder which is connected to a givenpneumatic source via an electromagnetic valve. This electro-magneticvalve is operated by a timed contact of a micro-switch, which is mountedon the guide rail 6, with a corresponding contactor mounted on thetemplate unit.

After the cutter blade 28 recedes to its initial inoperative position,the limit switch 37 on the guide rail 6 is released from the contactwith the actuator cam 38 due to the further travelling of the templateunit and the solenoid 39 is deactivated. Upon this deactivation of thesolenoid 39, the lever 40 is brought to its inoperative position shownwith the chain-and-dot line in FIG. 8B due to the spring force by thespring 43a. Upon this cancellation of the contact engagement of thestopper 41 with the lever 40, the cutter device 27 is brought to itsinitial position turning in the direction opposite to X in FIG. 88 dueto the spring force by the spring 43b. At the moment of this returningmovement of the cutter device 27, the pneumatic damper 44 functions asthe shock absorber.

As is explained already, the finished panty-hose must be removed offfrom the template assemblies automatically when the template unitarrives at the station A mechanism for carrying out this removaloperation will now be explained in detail in reference to the embodimentshown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

The mechanism is provided with a tiltable lever 47 pivoted at its lowerend to the fixed framework thereof. A solenoid 49 is fixedly mounted tothe midway of this lever 47. At a portion above the solenoid 49, a Z-shaped nipper lever 48 is pivotally mounted to the tiltable lever 47with its lower end being linked to the solenoid 49. Stems of the bothlevers 47 and 48 are connected by an intervening tension spring 52 whichalways urges the nipper lever 48 in such a manner that the upper end ofthe lever 48 is kept apart from the upper end of the tiltable lever 47.Further, at a portion below the solenoid 49, a fixed pneumatic pressurecylinder 50 is linked to the stern of the tiltable lever 47 via a pistonrod 51. Separately from this, a curved guide plate 46 is mounted ontothe template unit.

In an inoperative condition, the both levers 47 and 48 assume thedispositions shown with solid lines in FIG. 9A. That is, the upper endof the nipper lever 48 is remote away from that of the tiltable lever 47due to the spring force by the spring 52. With approach of the templateunit towards the station F, the hanging foot parts of the finished-hose,which rest on the guide plate 46, come into the space between the upperends of the both levers 47 and 48. Upon arrival of the hanging footparts at a prescribed position, the solenoid 49 is activated so as topull in the lower end of the nipper lever 48 and the upper end of thenipper lever 48 comes in contact with that of the tiltable lever 47against the spring force by the spring 52 while the foot parts of thefinished panty-hose are nipped between them. Following the completion ofthis nipping operation, the pneumatic pressure cylinder 50 is activatedso as to tilt the tiltable lever 47 away from the template unit. By thistilting movement of the lever 47, the panty-hose is gradually removedfrom the template assemblies.

When the lever 47 arrives at, at the position shown with thechain-and-dot lines in FIG. 9A, the panty-hose is perfectly removed offfrom the template assemblies and the solenoid 49 is deactivated. Uponthis deactivation of the solenoid 49, the nipper lever 48 assumes itsinitial position due to the spring force by the tension spring 52 andthe panty-hose is made free from the nip by the both levers 47 and 48.Following this, the pneumatic pressure cylinder 50 pulls the tiltablelever 47 to its initial position so as to make the latter prepare forthe approach of the next template unit.

Referring to FIGS. A and10B, a detail structure of an embodiment of thetemplate assembly with its related parts is shown. In the shownstructure, the cylinder 19a.is fixedto the outer end of the lower arm 17and the lower template b extends radially from the cylinder surface.Inside the cylinder 19a, a centrally bored electric actuator 61a isfixedly inserted. Further, an electric magnet 62a is embedded within theelectric actuator 61 being connected to the corresponding micro-switchon the guide rail 6 as already explained. In the central bore of theelectric actuator 61a, a flange 63a is slidably inserted beingaccompanied with a downwardly integral pole 64a, which extends through acenter hole of the cylinder 19a. The pole 64a is provided with a stopperflange 66a at the midway thereof and an abutment 67a at the lower endthereof. A compression spring 68a is inserted between the abutment 67aand the closed bottom end of the center hole of the cylinder 19a. Thepole 64a are provided with suitable bearing for a smooth sliding thereofthrough the center hole of the cylinder 19a. The upper template 20a isfixed to the upper face of the flange 63a.

When the electric actuator 61a is ineffective, i.e. the electro-magnet62a is deactivated, the flange 63a is exposed upwardly from the cylinder19a being urged by the spring force by the spring 68a. This exposure islimited to a prescribed extent by a contact of the stopper flange 66awith the bottom face of the electric actuator 61a. In this disposition,the upper template 20a is kept remote from contact with the lowertemplate 20b (see FIG. 10B). Upon activation of the electric magnet 62a,the electric actuator 61a attracts the flange 63a downwardly overcomingthe spring force by the spring 68a. Then the upper template 20a fixed onthe flange 630 moves downward into a pressure contact with the lowertemplate 20b so as to nip the stocking materials 1 and 2 together.

Another simplified embodiment of the seaming apparatus of the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 11, wherein only one template unit is usedfor the seaming operation.

In the shown arrangement, a T-shaped carrier 71 is provided with a pairof rolls 72a and 72b rotatably disposed to its one end and a pin 73 atthe other end thereof. The pin 73 is connected to a travelling chain 74.The rolls 72a and 72b are accepted by a guide rail 76 which runsparallel to the travelling course of the chain 74.

At the midway of the carrier 71, an upright cylinder 77 is fixedthereto. Within the cylinder 77, a hollow shaft 78 is rotatablyinserted. Further within the hollow shaft 78, a solid shaft 79 isrotatably inserted also. The hollow shaft 78 is provided with an upperarm 81 fixed to the upper end thereof and a lower arm 82 fixed to thelower end thereof. The solid shaft 79 is provided with an upper arm 83fixed to the upper end thereof and a lower arm 84 fixed to the lower endthereof.

The lower arms 82 and 84 are provided with rolls 86 and 87 which arerotatably disposed to the free ends of the arms, respectively. Bothrolls 86 and 87 are received in acam rail 88 of a suitably selectedcurvature.

The upper arm 81 is provided with a fixed upright cylinder 89 at itsfree end and an upper template 91a is fixed to the upper end of thecylinder 89. A solenoid (not shown) is inserted within the cylinder 89and a lower template 91b is fixedly connected to the solenoid via a cutoff formed through the wall of the cylinder 89. The other upper arm 83is provided with a cylinder 92, templates 93a and 93b and a solenoidalso. The abovementioned solenoids operate in synchronism.

Although not shown in the drawing, the apparatus is accompanied withsuitable a sewing machine and a cutter device which are located atselected positions by the guide rail 76.

The operation of the shown arrangement will now be explained simply. Asthe chain 74 travels, the carrier 71 travels along the guide rail 76.Following this travel of the carrier 71, the rolls 86 and 87 of thelower arms 82 and 84 travels along the cam rail 88. Because the cam rail88 is suitably curved, the lower arms 82 and 84 turn about the axis ofthe cylinder 77 and this turning of the lower arms 82 and 84 causescorresponding turning of the upper arms 81 and 83, respectively. By thisturning of the upper arms 81 and 83, angular closing and opening of thetemplates follows as in the case of the preceding embodiment. Further,activation of the solenoids causes corresponding nipping action of thetemplates.

What is claimed is;

1. An improved seaming method for panty hose, comprising the steps of:

providing a pair of stockings having hip portions;

holding corresponding parts of the hip portions of said pair ofstockings in directly adjacent side-byside relation;

cutting the adjacent, corresponding parts of said hip portions along apredetermined line so as to result in the formation of front and rearflaps on each of said hip portions, the front flaps of said hip portionsbeing positioned directly adjacent in side-by-side relation and the rearflaps of said hip portions being positioned directly adjacent inside-by-side relatron;

spreading the hip portions of said stockings until the cut edges of saidfront and rear flaps are disposed in a substantially straight line; andthen seaming the cut edges of said hip portions together while said cutedges are maintained in said substantially straight line condition.

2. A method according to claim 1, including the step of holding thecorresponding parts of said hip portions together at two adjacent areaswhich are elongated and substantially parallel to one another and areslightly spaced from one another to define a narrow elongated niptherebetween, said cutting line extending along said nip.

3. A method according to claim 1, including the steps of continuouslyholding the opposed front flaps of said hip portions in side-by-siderelation so that the cut edges of said front flaps are directly adjacentand substantially overlap one another, and continuously holding the rearflaps of said hip portions in side-by-side relation so that the cutedges of said rear flaps are disposed directly adjacent andsubstantially overlap one another, and then relatively swinging theoverlapping front flaps outwardly away from'the overlapping rear flapssubstantially about the bottom of said cut so that the overlapping andadjacent cut edges of said front flaps are substantially aligned withthe respective cut edges of said rear flaps.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the overlapping cut edges arecontinuously seamed from a first point located adjacent the free edgesof one of the overlapping pairs of front and rear flaps, said seamrunning continuously along said cut edges and through the central regionthereof as defined by the bottom of said cut until reaching a secondpoint located adjacent the free edges defined by the other of theoverlapping pairs of front and rear flaps.

5. A method according to claim 1, further including the step of tensingthe spread flaps for maintaining same in a substantially straight linecondition during the seaming operation, said tensing being caused byapplication of a suction to said spread flaps.

6. An apparatus for seaming panty hose, comprising:

elongated and substantially endless guide rail means;

carrier means movably mounted on said guide rail means for movementtherealong;

drive means coacting with said carrier means for moving same along saidguide rail means;

a plurality of template units mounted on said carrier means atpredetermined locations thereon, said template units being spaced fromone another in the direction of travel of said carrier means along saidguide rail means;

each template unit including first and second template assembliesadapted to have first and second stockings mounted thereon,respectively, said template assemblies being disposed opposite oneanother so that corresponding parts of said stockings are disposedbetween said template assemblies in directly adjacent and side-by-siderelation;

each of said template units further including means associated therewithfor causing the corresponding parts of said stockings to be clampinglyheld directly adjacent one another in side-by-side relation between saidfirst and second template assemblies;

cutter means located adjacent said guide rail means and positioned forcutting the overlapping corresponding parts of said stockings along apredetermined line;

each of said first and second template assemblies including first andsecond relatively movable support members mounted for relative movementtoward and away from one another, said first and second support membersof each template assembly being adapted to be inserted into a respectivestocking, and movement means coacting with the first and second supportmembers of each template assembly for causing the first and secondsupport members of each template assembly to be relatively moved awayfrom one another for causing outward spreading of the cut portions ofsaid stocking; and

a seaming mechanism located downstream of said cutter means and coactingwith the spread cut edges of the overlapping corresponding parts of saidstockings for seaming said cut edgesof said corresponding partstogether.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein each of said templateunits includes spring means normally biasing said first and secondtemplate assemblies away from one another for permitting saidcorresponding parts of said stockings to be inserted therebetween, andselectively actuatable power means coacting with said first and secondtemplate assemblies for selectively moving same toward one another forclamping said corresponding parts of said stockings therebetween.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first and secondsupport member of each of said first and second template assembliescomprise first and second arms which are disposed adjacent but slightlyspaced from one another when said arms are in a closed position, saidarms defining a narrow nip therebetween, and means mounting said armsfor relative movement outwardly away from one for permitting said armsto be disposed in an open position wherein they are substantiallyaligned with one another.

9. An appartus according to claim 6, further including means mountingsaid cutter means for movement with said carrier means, and drivingmeans coacting with said cutter means for selectively moving same at thesame rate of travel as said carrier means for permitting cutting of saidstockings while same are being held on the traveling carrier means. I

10. An apparatus according to claim 6, further including pneumaticsuction means disposed adjacent said seaming mechanism for tensing thealigned cut edges of said stockings as said cut edges are fed into saidseaming mechanism, said suction means being located closely adjacent butupstream of said seaming mechanism.

11. An apparatus according to claim 6, further including removal meansfor automatically removing the finished panty hose from its associatedtemplate unit, said removing means being located adjacent said guiderail means at a location downstream of said seaming mechanism.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 1, wherein said removal meansincludes a pair of relatively movable levers adapted for engaging thepanty hose therebetween, and a power device associated with said leversfor moving same relatively toward one another for causing the panty hoseto be clamped therebetween, and means for moving the pair of levers whenin a clamped position outwardly away from said guide rail means forpulling said panty hose off of its associated template unit.

13. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said movement meansincludes intermittently engageable gear means coacting between each ofsaid template units and said guide rail means for causing relativemovement of said support members between the open and closed positionsat selected locations as said carrier means travels along said guiderail means.

14. An improved apparatus for seaming together a pair of individualstockings into panty hose, comprising:

substantially straight and elongated guide rail means;

carrier means mounted on said guide rail means for movement therealong;and

drive means connected to said carrier means for reciprocating same alongsaid guide rail means at a preselected speed;

a pair of arm means swingably mounted on said carrier means, each armmeans mounting thereon opposed and spaced upper and lower templates,whereby a first stocking is adapted to have the

1. An improved seaming method for panty hose, comprising the steps of:providing a pair of stockings having hip portions; holding correspondingparts of the hip portions of said pair of stockings in directly adjacentside-by-side relation; cutting the adjacent, corresponding parts of saidhip portions along a predetermined line so as to result in the formationof front and rear flaps on each of said hip portions, the front flaps ofsaid hip portions being positioned directly adjacent in side-by-siderelation and the rear flaps of said hip portions being positioneddirectly adjacent in side-by-side relation; spreading the hip portionsof said stockings until the cut edges of said front and reaR flaps aredisposed in a substantially straight line; and then seaming the cutedges of said hip portions together while said cut edges are maintainedin said substantially straight line condition.
 2. A method according toclaim 1, including the step of holding the corresponding parts of saidhip portions together at two adjacent areas which are elongated andsubstantially parallel to one another and are slightly spaced from oneanother to define a narrow elongated nip therebetween, said cutting lineextending along said nip.
 3. A method according to claim 1, includingthe steps of continuously holding the opposed front flaps of said hipportions in side-by-side relation so that the cut edges of said frontflaps are directly adjacent and substantially overlap one another, andcontinuously holding the rear flaps of said hip portions in side-by-siderelation so that the cut edges of said rear flaps are disposed directlyadjacent and substantially overlap one another, and then relativelyswinging the overlapping front flaps outwardly away from the overlappingrear flaps substantially about the bottom of said cut so that theoverlapping and adjacent cut edges of said front flaps are substantiallyaligned with the respective cut edges of said rear flaps.
 4. A methodaccording to claim 3, wherein the overlapping cut edges are continuouslyseamed from a first point located adjacent the free edges of one of theoverlapping pairs of front and rear flaps, said seam runningcontinuously along said cut edges and through the central region thereofas defined by the bottom of said cut until reaching a second pointlocated adjacent the free edges defined by the other of the overlappingpairs of front and rear flaps.
 5. A method according to claim 1, furtherincluding the step of tensing the spread flaps for maintaining same in asubstantially straight line condition during the seaming operation, saidtensing being caused by application of a suction to said spread flaps.6. An apparatus for seaming panty hose, comprising: elongated andsubstantially endless guide rail means; carrier means movably mounted onsaid guide rail means for movement therealong; drive means coacting withsaid carrier means for moving same along said guide rail means; aplurality of template units mounted on said carrier means atpredetermined locations thereon, said template units being spaced fromone another in the direction of travel of said carrier means along saidguide rail means; each template unit including first and second templateassemblies adapted to have first and second stockings mounted thereon,respectively, said template assemblies being disposed opposite oneanother so that corresponding parts of said stockings are disposedbetween said template assemblies in directly adjacent and side-by-siderelation; each of said template units further including means associatedtherewith for causing the corresponding parts of said stockings to beclampingly held directly adjacent one another in side-by-side relationbetween said first and second template assemblies; cutter means locatedadjacent said guide rail means and positioned for cutting theoverlapping corresponding parts of said stockings along a predeterminedline; each of said first and second template assemblies including firstand second relatively movable support members mounted for relativemovement toward and away from one another, said first and second supportmembers of each template assembly being adapted to be inserted into arespective stocking, and movement means coacting with the first andsecond support members of each template assembly for causing the firstand second support members of each template assembly to be relativelymoved away from one another for causing outward spreading of the cutportions of said stocking; and a seaming mechanism located downstream ofsaid cutter means and coacting with the spread cut edges of theoverlapping corresponding parts of said stockIngs for seaming said cutedges of said corresponding parts together.
 7. An apparatus according toclaim 6, wherein each of said template units includes spring meansnormally biasing said first and second template assemblies away from oneanother for permitting said corresponding parts of said stockings to beinserted therebetween, and selectively actuatable power means coactingwith said first and second template assemblies for selectively movingsame toward one another for clamping said corresponding parts of saidstockings therebetween.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 6, whereinsaid first and second support member of each of said first and secondtemplate assemblies comprise first and second arms which are disposedadjacent but slightly spaced from one another when said arms are in aclosed position, said arms defining a narrow nip therebetween, and meansmounting said arms for relative movement outwardly away from one forpermitting said arms to be disposed in an open position wherein they aresubstantially aligned with one another.
 9. An appartus according toclaim 6, further including means mounting said cutter means for movementwith said carrier means, and driving means coacting with said cuttermeans for selectively moving same at the same rate of travel as saidcarrier means for permitting cutting of said stockings while same arebeing held on the traveling carrier means.
 10. An apparatus according toclaim 6, further including pneumatic suction means disposed adjacentsaid seaming mechanism for tensing the aligned cut edges of saidstockings as said cut edges are fed into said seaming mechanism, saidsuction means being located closely adjacent but upstream of saidseaming mechanism.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 6, furtherincluding removal means for automatically removing the finished pantyhose from its associated template unit, said removing means beinglocated adjacent said guide rail means at a location downstream of saidseaming mechanism.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein saidremoval means includes a pair of relatively movable levers adapted forengaging the panty hose therebetween, and a power device associated withsaid levers for moving same relatively toward one another for causingthe panty hose to be clamped therebetween, and means for moving the pairof levers when in a clamped position outwardly away from said guide railmeans for pulling said panty hose off of its associated template unit.13. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said movement meansincludes intermittently engageable gear means coacting between each ofsaid template units and said guide rail means for causing relativemovement of said support members between the open and closed positionsat selected locations as said carrier means travels along said guiderail means.
 14. An improved apparatus for seaming together a pair ofindividual stockings into panty hose, comprising: substantially straightand elongated guide rail means; carrier means mounted on said guide railmeans for movement therealong; and drive means connected to said carriermeans for reciprocating same along said guide rail means at apreselected speed; a pair of arm means swingably mounted on said carriermeans, each arm means mounting thereon opposed and spaced upper andlower templates, whereby a first stocking is adapted to have the uppertemplates inserted into the open end thereof and the other stocking isadapted to have the lower templates inserted into the open end thereof,whereby the pair of stockings have opposed corresponding parts which aredisposed directly adjacent one another and positioned between the upperand lower templates; power means coacting with each opposed pair ofupper and lower templates for relatively moving same toward one anotherfor clamping the corresponding parts of said stockings therebetween indirectly adjacent side-by-side relation; elongated cam means disposedadjacent and extending along said guide rail means; cam follower meansrigidly connected to each respective arm means and disposed inengagement with said cam means for causing selected swinging movement ofsaid arm means as said carrier means is moved along said guide railmeans, said cam means causing the upper templates and the lowertemplates to be relatively swung toward and away from one another assaid carrier means is moved along said guide rail means; and controlmeans for energizing said power means for causing the upper and lowertemplates to be relatively moved into clamping engagement with thecorresponding parts of said stockings at a selected location as saidcarrier means is moved along said guide rail means.
 15. In an apparatusfor seaming together a pair of individual stockings for forming pantyhose therefrom, a template unit including first and second templateassemblies adapted to respectively support thereon first and secondstockings, said first template assembly including first and secondrelatively movable template members adapted to be inserted into the openend of one of said stockings, said second template assembly includingfirst and second relatively movable template members adapted to beinserted into the open end of said other stocking, said first and secondtemplate members of said first template assembly being normally disposedsubstantially opposite to but spaced from the respective first andsecond template members of said second template assembly whereby thestockings when disposed between the template assemblies havecorresponding portions adjacent the open end thereof positioned directlyadjacent and between the first and second template assemblies; drivemeans coacting with the first and second template members of each ofsaid first and second template assembly for causing relative movementbetween said first and second template members between a closed positionand a spread position, said first and second template members when insaid closed position being disposed closely adjacent but slightly spacedfrom one another so as to define a narrow nip therebetween, the openends of said stocking receiving therein said first and second templatemembers when same are in said closed position, said first and secondtemplate members when in said spread position being spaced outwardlyfrom said closed position for causing lateral spreading of the open endof the respective stocking; pressure means coacting between said firstand second template assemblies for relatively moving the first andsecond template members of said first assembly respectively toward thefirst and second template member of said second assembly for causing thefirst and second template assemblies to clampingly engage thecorresponding parts of said stockings therebetween, whereby said firstand second template assemblies hold the corresponding parts of said pairof stockings in directly adjacent, overlapping, side-by-side relation;cutting means associated with said template unit for cutting theoverlapping corresponding parts of said stockings along a predeterminedline located within said nip when said first and second templateassemblies are disposed in said clamping position and said first andsecond template members are in said closed position, said cutting meansincluding a cutting member and means mounting said cutting memberrelative to said template unit for permitting said cutting member tomove relative to said template unit along said nip for cutting saidcorresponding parts of said stockings; control means associated withsaid drive means for activating same for causing the first and secondtemplate members associated with each template assembly to be relativelymoved from their closed position to their spread position after saidcorresponding parts have been cut, said first and second templateassemblies remaining in said clamped position, said template memberswhen reaching said spread position being disposed so that the opposedcut edges of each stocking are disposEd in substantial alignment withone another; and seaming means associated with said template unit forfixedly connecting the overlapping cut edges of said pair of stockingstogether while said cut edges are maintained in said aligned position.16. An apparatus according to claim 15, further including means forcausing relative movement between said seaming means and said templateunit for causing the overlapping cut edges of said pair of stockings tobe continuously seamed from the free end of one cut edge to the free endof the other cut edge as said edges are maintained in said alignedposition.
 17. An apparatus according to claim 16, further including asuction device disposed adjacent said seaming mechanism for tensing thecut edges of said stockings at a location disposed adjacent the seamingmechanism.